Vehicle cargo bed system

Abstract

A vehicle includes a steel frame, steel bracket, an e-coating layer, and an aluminum cargo bed. The steel frame has a top side. The steel bracket has a zinc-plating, is secured to the top side of the steel frame, and has an upper surface that faces away from the frame. The e-coating layer is deposited externally and collectively on the steel frame and steel bracket. The aluminum cargo bed is secured to the upper surface such that the zinc-plating and e-coating layer are sandwiched between the steel bracket and aluminum cargo bed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle comprising:
 a steel frame having a top side; 
 a steel bracket having a zinc-plating, secured to the top side, and having an upper surface facing away from the frame; 
 an e-coating layer deposited externally and collectively on the frame and bracket; and 
 an aluminum cargo bed secured to the upper surface such that the zinc-plating and e-coating layer are sandwiched between the bracket and bed. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein an internal peripheral surface of the bracket defines and encompasses an orifice, the internal peripheral surface being zinc-plated and covered by the e-coating layer, and the bed is secured to the frame by a fastener extending through the orifice. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the bed includes an aluminum crossbeam and an aluminum floor panel, the crossbeam protrudes from a bottom side of the floor panel, and a bottom surface of the crossbeam is secured to the upper surface of the bracket. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener is a steel bolt that includes a threaded portion extending from a head, the head engages a top surface of the floor panel, and the threaded portion extends through the crossbeam, through the orifice, and engages a nut that is secured to a lower surface of the bracket. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein a zinc-plated washer is disposed between the head and the floor panel. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein a second e-coating layer is deposited externally on the washer. 
     
     
       7. A vehicle frame comprising:
 a steel rail having a top side and extending longitudinally; 
 a cargo bed mounting plate having a zinc-plating, secured to the top side, and having an upper surface facing away from the rail; and 
 an e-coating layer deposited externally and collectively on the rail and cargo bed mounting plate such that the e-coating layer is deposited over the zinc-plating. 
 
     
     
       8. The frame of  claim 7 , wherein an internal peripheral surface of the cargo bed mounting plate defines and encompasses an orifice configured to receive a fastener, the internal peripheral surface being zinc-plated and covered by the e-coating layer. 
     
     
       9. A vehicle comprising:
 a metallic frame having a top side; 
 a metallic bracket having a zinc-plating, secured to the top side, and having an upper surface facing away from the frame; 
 an e-coating layer deposited externally and collectively on the frame and bracket; and 
 a cargo bed comprised of a dissimilar metal with respect to the frame and bracket, the bed secured to the upper surface sandwiching the zinc-plating and e-coating layer between the bracket and bed. 
 
     
     
       10. The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein an internal peripheral surface of the bracket defines and encompasses an orifice, the internal peripheral surface being zinc-plated and covered by the e-coating layer, and the bed is secured to the frame by a fastener extending through the orifice. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the bed includes a crossbeam and a floor panel, the crossbeam protrudes from a bottom side of the floor panel, and a bottom surface of the crossbeam is secured to the upper surface of the bracket. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the crossbeam is comprised of aluminum and the bracket is comprised of zinc-plated steel. 
     
     
       13. The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener is a bolt that includes a threaded portion extending from a head, the head engages a top surface of the floor panel, and the threaded portion extends through the crossbeam, through the orifice, and engages a nut that is secured to a lower surface of the bracket. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the crossbeam and floor panel are comprised of aluminum, the bracket is comprised of zinc-plated steel, and the fastener is comprised of steel. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the crossbeam and floor panel are comprised of magnesium, the bracket is comprised of zinc-plated steel, and the fastener is comprised of steel. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein a zinc-plated washer is disposed between the head and the floor panel. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein the zinc-plated washer is comprised of steel. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein a second e-coating layer is deposited externally on the washer. 
     
     
       19. The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the frame is comprised of steel, the bracket is comprised of zinc-plated steel, and the bed is comprised of aluminum. 
     
     
       20. The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the frame is comprised of steel, the bracket is comprised of zinc-plated steel, and the bed is comprised of magnesium.